Wild Thing

Wild Thing12.2 m[40'] racing trimaran

The "Wild Thing" was the first multihull in the world built using the strip plank timber composite system that is now the universally preferred method of timber construction for multihulls. It is a lightweight racing trimaran with accommodation for four or five. It has a generous sail plan but the forward position of the floats enable this sail to be carried in higher winds with minimal risk of lee bowing. This boat also pioneered the use of "do it yourself" paper honeycomb as a core material which results in a very light structure. The cross beams are of strip plank construction and the boat is demountable and trailable. The asymmetrical dagger boards are mounted in the floats and are built using our singularly successful steel mould technique.The fact that the "wrong" windward one is usually mostly clear of the water makes it easy to lift it clear of the water. The pyramidal nature of the rig allows it to function as part of the structure with the forward shrouds serving to support the cantilever load on the forward cross beams caused by the forward positioned floats.

Although the overall length of the "Wild Thing" is 12.2m [40'], it is in fact a much smaller boat. The main hull is only 10.7m [35'] LOA and the LOA of the floats is 10.4m [34'] but the floats are placed 1.5m [4.9'] out in front of the main hull. This gives a total LOA of 12.2m [40']. The purpose of this configuration was to make the boat "small" in light weather when the wetted surface is the major component of drag but to function as a "bigger" boat with a lot more diagonal stability [sail carrying power on a reach] when the wind is fresher.